Since 1904, the Concord City Auditorium, 2 Prince St., has been the place to go for top-notch entertainment that doesn’t break the bank. If you’re wondering how you can give back to the Audi, consider donating some dough to the Audi’s Flyspace Project.
For you non-theater people wondering what a flyspace is – we’ll get to that later. For now, all you need to know is that this project is the Audi’s last major renovation effort and it will cost a pretty penny – $200,000.
If perfecting the Audi isn’t reason enough to donate, all supporters (no matter how small or large their donation) will be noted on butterfly tags that will be displayed in the lobby. During a special spring-time show, one butterfly will be drawn and the winner will receive two roundtrip tickets to the destination of his or her choice, courtesy of Southwest Airlines. Plus, if you donate soon, an anonymous donor has offered to match every gift made in 2009
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Donations can be sent to: Friends of the Audi, PO Box 652, Concord, 03302.
To help further explain the project, Friend of the Audi, Carol Bagan, agreed to answer a few questions. If you’re still seeking information, call 228-2793 or visit concordcityauditorium.org.
What exactly is a flyspace?
It’s the area over the stage. The lights, curtains and scenery now hang from 24-iron pipe battens, which in turn hang from 72 ropes and “fly” up when stagehands pull on the ropes and tie them off on the pinrail, just like an old sailing ship. This 1904 system is historic, but it’s not efficient and it limits the productions. It’s also hard and heavy work, and not as safe as we would wish. This project will replace the old equipment with mechanical stage rigging, bringing the 105-year-old theater into the 21st century.
So, who’s been flying around the Audi these days?
Who and what. At the gala season opening, “scenery and greenery” signs flew to introduce the project, and the following week an eagle swooped down for the “1944 Comedy Canteen” finale. The 25 Audi events since Sept. 13 have kept the stagehands hauling the movie screen, painted curtains, light instruments and big set pieces up, up and away.
Can people really donate any amount and get the butterfly and be put in the drawing for the Southwest tickets?
Absolutely. When you need $200,000, you don’t step over a coin on the sidewalk.
In 1994 the reception lobby project raised $250,000, mostly in $10 bills. Folks from 3,500 local families chipped in, and every donor is named on the plaques. A cherished contributor was a lady who sent in the $2 she had extra in her budget every month.
This time the butterflies are the bricks. Every donor will be named on a butterfly, included in the drawing and listed on commemorative plaques, too.
How did Southwest get involved? That’s a pretty sweet prize!
Indeed, and the Southwest people were pretty sweet to us, especially considering our Northeast address. It started with some Friends of the Audi chatting with Southwest staff in the Manchester airport. Their motto is “share the spirit,” and we’re glad they’re sharing it with the Audi.
Is there a deadline for donations?
No – we’ll just keep plugging away until we reach the goal. A Concord family has offered to match all donations made in 2009 to jumpstart the effort, and that’s got the project off to a flying start. Nearly 500 people have responded in the first 15 days. We’re recording donations and posting butterflies as fast as we can.
How does one install a flyspace and who is going to be brave enough to test it first?
The Flyspace Project has been a year in the planning. First, H. L. Turner Co., collaborating with city staff, completed structural engineering studies. Over the summer, Tri-State Ironworks reinforced the ceiling beams and Sapsis Rigging came up from Pennsylvania for the site survey to complete the rigging plan. Sapsis will return next summer to install the new system. They’ll test it first and then train our stagehands.
